Last weekend at the RAL Outdoor Show
The spectacular weather and great quality of art this year brought record crowds to the first weekend of the 42nd Annual Outdoor Fine Art and Fine Craft Show. The show takes place at the Henlopen Acres location. The last two days of the show are Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15-16. Over 125 artists and artisans from around the country are participating this year. Many artists are exhibiting for the first time in this show.
Pavlina and Alfredo Alea traveled to Rehoboth from Miami, Fla. Pavlina Alea is a classically trained artist, born and raised in Bulgaria. Her images are all water scenes. Pavlina explains “I go underwater with my models and have photoshoots, which later inspire my paintings.” George Bragg from Panama City, Fla., a machinist by trade, has been a full-time artist for 30 years. “I incorporate organic elements collected on my travels, with copper sheeting and tubing.” His subjects are non-objective abstract, with a focus on line, texture and color. His booth showcases his large metal wall sculptures.
John Iampieri from Bishopville, Md. has brought back-to-life the folk art of painting on screens. A Czechoslovakian grocer and artist was concerned about his wilting outdoor produce display during Baltimore’s hot and humid summer days. So he moved his fruits and vegetables inside and painted pictures of his merchandise on the screens outside of his storefront. Iampieri remembers the magic of these functional screens while growing up in Baltimore. Today, Iampieri uses the techniques of the original masters and creates hand painted screens on windows, doors, entire porches, and as wall art.
Many artists demonstrate their artwork in their booths and there will be pottery demonstrations, and indoor/outdoor seating to enjoy delicious food by Nage and The Pointe. Back this year will be a lemonade stand to support the RAL’s Art Education Outreach Program and a Beer Garden sponsored by Dogfish Head to provide funding for the RAL’s historic gardens. There is also a raffle for an original Steve Rogers painting Morning in the Mist.The drawing will take place Aug. 16.
Entertainment for the coming weekend includes; on Saturday, Mixed Blessing/Acapella, Bruce Anthony/Jazz, Van Williams Trio and Sunday, Ken Thompson/Guitar/Singer and Marv Ashby/Blue Grass. Each day at 2 p.m. Sheila Bravo, RAL executive director, will take interested guests on a 45-minute tour of the Art League. Face Painting with artist Sherry Biele is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.
Show hours are Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person for the weekend. Children under 12 are admitted free.
There are two free off-site parking locations and Jolly Trolley shuttle to make it easier to travel to the show. The shuttle can be picked up at the Kmart on Route 1 and The Rehoboth Beach Elementary School at 500 Stockley Ave.. Shuttle service begins at 9:45 a.m. each day and makes continuous circuits during the day. The shuttle is provided by RAL.
For all the schedules and additional information about the show go to www.rehobothartleague.org or call 302-227-8408. Find out more about some of the artists in the show at the RAL blog rehobothartleague.wordpress.com.
Jack Lingo Realtor is the generous Outdoor Show Underwriter. This event is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency dedicated to nurturing and supporting the arts in Delaware, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.
